Three Suspects in Custody in Connection With Tuesday Night Homicide

On Tuesday September 25, 2012 at approximately 8:50 p.m., officers from the Long Beach Police Department were dispatched to a report of gun shots in the area of 7th Street and Rose Avenue. Responding officers found an adult male lying on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound to the upper torso. Long Beach Fire Paramedics transported the victim to a local hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.

The preliminary investigation determined that the victim, identified as 20 year-old Gerardo Placencia of Long Beach, was walking with his 12-year-old relative who was riding her scooter just in front of him. The pair walked past the three suspects who happened to be leaving a local business. When the three suspects approached the victim they asked him what gang he belonged to. Fearing something might happen, the victim did not respond, and tried to quickly walk away. As the suspects followed behind the pair one of them without provocation produced a firearm and fired multiple times. The female relative went into a local business to ask for assistance and the suspects ran way from the scene.

Detectives worked continuously since the murder and have arrested three Long Beach residents for this crime. All three suspects live in Long Beach and are identified as 19 year-old Montreal Hill, 18 year-old Eric Hubbard,, and a 15-year-old male juvenile. All of the suspects are currently being held on gang related murder charges.

Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact Long Beach Police Detectives Malcolm Evans or Todd Johnson at (562) 570-7244. Anonymous tips may be submitted via text or web by visiting www.tipsoft.com.